BT and Unique Digital, the international digital cinema software /
distribution supplier, have reached a long term agreement to roll out the first
broadband distribution network to cinemas in the UK.
The network will enable
content to be streamed to cinemas via static IP addresses, and the cinemas will
then store the content ready to be screened to audiences. This will allow
Unique to move advertising, film and alternative content on a point to point
basis, allowing dynamic programming and reporting to all cinemas in the UK.
BT Business
will provide Unique with high bandwidth, low latency network connectivity to
each location. BT’s network will link geographically dispersed, resilient Tier
3 Data Centres, each with dedicated 10Gbps connections to support Unique’s
solution.
MovieTransit™, Unique’s market
leading content distribution solution, has been fully operational to all
cinemas in Norway for over 18 months, and many more
sites in Denmark, Sweden and Ireland. In
that time over 100,000 film and advertising packages (over 15 PetaBytes of data
in total) have been delivered.
The system comprises a bespoke client
receiver per cinema, running Unique’s proprietary software that uses available
bandwidth with dedicated local distribution nodes connected to Unique’s own 20GB
terrestrial backbone supported by BT in the UK. This will allow sufficient capacity
for multi-casting for streaming content, and will also enable consumer–led
dynamic programming of content.
“Unique
digital is delighted to be partnering with BT to deliver this game-changing
network to cinemas across the UK. BT was
head and shoulders above the competition, both in their ability to manage a
rapid roll-out and also to work with us on driving alternative content
opportunities for cinemas,” stated Chris Hagan, Chairman of Unique Digital
Limited. “We are on track to have over 600 sites connected to our MovieTransit
system across UK and Ireland by the end of the year.”
John Dovey, MD UK Corporate, BT
Business said: “Unique Digital came to us with a real challenge to help them
deliver an innovative solution for supplying cinemas with content that would
replace the current ‘man with a van’ system. Some HD films are fast approaching
1 Terabyte in size now, with 3D and new, more sophisticated audio formats likely to
increase file sizes further in future.
The
BT network has the capability to provide Unique with unlimited capacity, so no
throttling, which will ensure their customers get a quality service that works.
We’re delighted to be working with Unique on this UK first.”
About Unique Digital Ltd and Unique Digital Software
Limited Unique Digital
Limited, based in Dublin and London, has developed a suite of leading software
solutions for the management of digital cinema content, including a full
featured Theatre Management System (RosettaBridge TMS) and Advertising back
office system (Advertising Accord), KDM delivery solution (Basekey) and VPF
management software (Cinema Accord). Unique Digital Software Limited, based in
Manchester, is a subsidiary of Unique Digital Limited and handles mastering and
distribution business in the UK and Ireland on behalf of Unique Digital
Limited.
About BTBT is one of the world’s leading providers of
communications services and solutions, serving customers in more than 170
countries. Its principal activities include the provision of networked IT
services globally; local, national and international telecommunications
services to its customers for use at home, at work and on the move; broadband,
TV and internet products and services; and converged fixed/mobile products and
services. BT consists principally of four lines of business: BT Global
Services, BT Retail, BT Wholesale and Openreach. For the year ended 31 March 2013, BT Group’s
reported revenue was £18,103m
with reported profit before taxation
of £2,315m.
British Telecommunications plc (BT) is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of BT Group plc and encompasses virtually all
businesses and assets of the BT Group. BT Group plc is listed on stock
exchanges in London and New York.
For more information, visit
www.btplc.com
